NEW YORK — President Joe Biden warned on Thursday that the risk of a nuclear “Armageddon” is at its highest level since the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 and that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “not joking” about using tactical nuclear weapons.
Biden, speaking at a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said Putin’s threats to use nuclear, biological or chemical weapons should not be taken lightly.
“We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since (John F. Kennedy) and the Cuban Missile Crisis,” the president said, according to The Associated Press.
Wow. Biden at a Dem fundraiser tonight: “We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis.” He says Putin is “not joking when he talks about potential use of tactical,” nuclear or biological weapons because his military is underperforming.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 7, 2022
Biden going MUCH further than his officials have, from the National Security Council to the Pentagon. They have said they take Russia's threats seriously, but haven't seen any changes in its nuclear posture. Biden invokes Armageddon and says Putin should be taken seriously.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 7, 2022
The president also challenged the nuclear doctrine of Russia, warning that lower-yield tactical weapons could quickly escalate out of control into a global confrontation, the AP reported.
“I don’t (think) there is any such a thing as the ability to easily use a tactical weapon and not end up with Armageddon,” Biden said during his speech.
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